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A History of the
James Building
submitted by: Christopher
C. class of 2003
adapted from: Sesquicentennial History: Manchester
Central High School
by William A. Burns
In 1962, the New England
Association of Schools & Colleges sent a committee, at
the request of Central High School, to review the school and
gauge how it compared to other schools in New England. CHS
was hoping to gain status within the NEASC, which is
essentially a school accrediting agency.
CHS did not get the good report
that it had hoped for, and decided that some major changes
were needed. The following were the main complaints of the
NEASC: "In addition to old age, unreliable heating, poor
ventilation and creaky plumbing, the school lacks the
following: 1) a spacious library; 2) a decent cafeteria and
kitchen; 3) modern science laboratory classrooms; 4) a large
up-to-date gymnasium with shower and dressing rooms; 5)
facilities specifically for guidance services; and, 6)
administrative offices with adequate work areas and
conference rooms."
It was decided that there were two
main options, either major renovations be performed, or a
new school be built. The City of Manchester decided that the
best way to resolve all of these problems was to add more
building space, and also perform renovations on the existing
buildings.
Plans for a new building were laid
forth, and it was decided that it would be built next to
the
Classical Building and
attached to it by walkways. It was suggested that the
building be named the James Building, after the late
Principal Carl P. James. This suggestion was given to the
school board and quickly approved.
And so the James Building was
built. It contained a new cafeteria and gym, along with
modern science labs and a new set of oil-fired boilers. The
cafeteria was large and spacious and contained modern
kitchen facilities. The gymnasium included new changing
rooms and showers. Also, the boilers worked well and were
reliable. The administration immediately moved into the
James Building. "Room 04 Study" which for a while had been
the only study in the school, except for the auditorium, was
abolished. The cafeteria served as a study hall when there
was not a lunch mod, and when there was a lunch going on,
study was held in one of the empty rooms now available
because of the extra space. In 1974, the gymnasium was
dedicated and named for Mr. Carl Simon, who had taught
Physical Education in Manchester's schools for many
years.
Today, the cafeteria is still in
the James building, and the gym is still attached. The James
Building houses the Guidance
Department, Administration,
and the Science Department.
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